Real Estate Brokers – are licensed professionals who assist sellers and prospective buyers of homes.
Real Estate Agents – are licensed professionals who work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker.
So you want a white house with a picket fence against neatly trimmed shrubs, a brick walkway traversing a well-manicured lawn towards a green front door, and a living room with plenty of space for your surround-sound theater.
Your housing loan application has been approved and you have enough cash in the bank. Just when you think you are just a step away from the front door of your dream house. Think Again. You need the guidance of a professional real estate broker to lead you to the exact address where your dream home is located.
Choosing the right real estate broker/agent who can notify you of homes that meet all your criteria is as much a significant decision as choosing what type of house to buy. This is specially true to first-time home buyers who need a professional to walk them through the buying process. Apart from giving you the best buy, a good real estate agent keeps you legally compliant when confronted with confusing contracts.
Successful home buyers have the following tips when choosing your Realtor.
Interview several candidates
A conversation with your prospective real estate agent is a good way to find out if your goals match. Possible questions that you may ask includes:
a. “Are you a licensed Realtor?” Licensed Realtors are committed financially and professionally to being an expert in the real estate industry.
b. “Are you a full-time agent?” If the real estate agent is working on a part time basis, chances are he may not be able to meet your expectations because their attention is divided by other responsibilities.
Compare interview notes
Based on the interview choose an aggressive agent but who does not make you feel anxious or pressured.
Check qualifications and sales
Experience really pays. Choose a real estate agent who has been on the job long enough and has an impressive sales record. These are agents who excel because they know what they are doing and are good at what they do.
Ask for references
Previous clients are the best source of information about the credibility of a real estate agent. Ask him to provide you with names as well as phone numbers of previous clients.
Ensure that the agent knows the area
Prefer an agent who knows the area where you intend to buy, he must keep you posted of available properties and corresponding prices.
Check for Compatibility
Make sure your agent's personality matches yours since buying real estate could be a highly emotional transaction. You need a real estate agent you can comfortably communicate with.
Check customer service
The fact that real estate agents are very busy people does not necessarily mean your phone calls should not be returned or your immediate concerns should not be given prompt attention. A good agent should still be able to take good care of you their hectic schedule notwithstanding.
Choose a strong negotiator
Get the services of an agent who has been into a tough negotiation before but still managed to get a fair price.
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